City Islanders nicked up heading into Friday's scrap with visiting Antigua

When the Harrisburg City Islanders slip on to Skyline Sports Complex Friday night to begin warming up for the Antigua Barracuda, Bill Becher’s USL PRO side may be short a few players when they open their two-game homestand.

Yann Ekra (front) and Harrisburg City Islanders teammate Tom Brandt celebrate following Ekra's go-ahead score in a 5-1 victory over Rochester last month. Ekra, out the past two games with a knee issue, is expected to play in Friday night's game against Antigua.Paul Chaplin, PennLive.com

Yet, at the same time, the City Islanders (4-1-0, 12 points) may have some players available who did not play in last weekend’s 1-0 victory at Rochester.

As mentioned Thursday night, defender Don Anding is expected to return on loan from Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union. Anding, who started the first three games and came off the bench in the fourth, was recalled by the Union in time for last weekend’s scrap with Seattle – but he did not dress.

Midfielder Yann Ekra, who missed two games with a knee injury, is ready to go. Ekra is Harrisburg’s No. 4 scorer with three points (1 goal, 1 assist).

Defensive midfielder/back Tom Brandt (hamstring) will miss his third straight outing, while winger Jimmy McLaughlin is doubtful with an abdominal strain. The 20-year-old McLaughlin has been in Philadelphia receiving treatment.

Those questionable for Friday night’s scrap with winless

Defender Don Anding, who played in the Harrisburg City Islanders' first four games, is expected to be available for Friday night's home game with Antigua.Patriot-News file

Finally, left back Stephen Basso (knee) and winger Tom Mellor (Achilles/foot/ankle) are likely to play against the Barracuda.

BECHER ON OPEN CUP DRAW

Although not pulled into the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup fray until the second round kicks off on May 21, Becher offered his thoughts about the City Islanders colliding with the winner of Tuesday’s first-round clash between amateur side Lehigh Valley United Sonic F.C. and the Premier Development League’s Reading United.

And it has little to do with the City Islanders beginning American soccer’s national tournament on the road for the first time.

City Islanders head coach Bill Becher wishes his club and Reading United A.C. were not in the same portion of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup draw. Both are affiliated with Major League Soccer's Philadelphia Union.Patriot-News file

“It’s not surprising, but it’s a little disappointing,” Becher said Thursday. “We’ve been at home all these years so you figured it was going to happen sooner or later. But it’s just kind of a little disappointing because we’re kind of in an affiliation with Reading and Philly – it’s kind of all together – and we keep drawing them as a possible first-game [opponent].”

Like the City Islanders, who have reached the Open Cup quarterfinals four times since first playing in the tournament in 2007, Reading United A.C. is linked up with Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union.

“They’re a good team, we’ll go play them if that’s what has to be, but you think that the committee would look at that and give us a different option,” Becher added, referring to Reading. “It is what it is and whomever we play we’ll be ready for and hopefully make another run in the Open Cup.”

Should Reading prevail, the City Islanders will play United at Exeter High School’s Don Thomas Stadium. If Reading fails to advance, Harrisburg will meet Lehigh Valley United at the Whitehall High School Soccer Complex in suburban Allentown.